Amen Thompson’s Heroics Lift Rockets Over Celtics in Thrilling Finish
Jan 27, 2025, 11:07 PM ET
BOSTON — In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second, Amen Thompson delivered a stunning performance, hitting a game-winning floater with just 0.7 seconds left on the clock. His heroics led the Houston Rockets to a nail-biting 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
Thompson was nothing short of spectacular, finishing the game with a career-high 33 points. But he wasn’t the only Rocket lighting up the scoreboard. Dillon Brooks was on fire from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 10 of 15 from 3-point range and leading Houston with 36 points. This victory marked the Rockets’ ninth win in their last 11 games, a testament to their current hot streak.
On the other side of the court, the Celtics had their own standout performances. Jaylen Brown put up 28 points, while Jayson Tatum added 19 points, all of which came in the second half after a scoreless first half. Luke Kornet contributed 18 points, and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Interestingly, the Rockets’ leading scorer, Jalen Green, was held to just 12 points, but the team still managed to pull through thanks to the efforts of Thompson and Brooks.
Key Moments and Reactions
- Thompson’s crucial play came when he broke free off an inbounds play, going in for an easy dunk that pushed Houston ahead 112-110.
- After a timeout, Tatum managed to tie the game with a layup, leaving just 5.3 seconds on the clock.
- Thompson then took the ball from just outside the 3-point line, driving to the rim and hitting the game-winner over Brown.
Reflecting on his game-winning shot, Thompson said, “That was my first game-winner. I feel like Kobe.” His words echoed the confidence and poise he displayed on the court, drawing a parallel to the late, great Kobe Bryant.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla took responsibility for the defensive lapses in the final moments, stating, “Those last two plays were on me. Those were my fault. Didn’t put us in the best matchups, I saw the play that they were trying to run and I tried to change the matchups and put our guys in a tough spot.”
It’s worth noting that the Celtics had previously dominated the Rockets in their first meeting of the season in Houston on Jan. 3. However, this time around, the Rockets were determined to flip the script.
Injury Updates and Absences
Before the game, Houston coach Ime Udoka mentioned that forward Cam Whitmore was “sick and back at the hotel,” which left the Rockets shorthanded. For the Celtics, center Al Horford was a very late scratch after going through warmups, while Derrick White (bruised right shin) and Sam Hauser (right hip) were both out.
Despite these absences, the game was a thrilling showcase of talent and determination from both teams, with the Rockets ultimately emerging victorious in a memorable contest.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
